Scher musikwerke actien-gesellschaft



K. R. ESSIG. STRIKER 0R PIGKBR-POR GUITARS.

(No Model.)

Patented Mar. 3

ANDREW B GRAHAM.PHOTOUTHQWASNH-GTON DC UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KARL RUDOLF ESSIG, OF LEIPSIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE FABRIK LOOHMANN- SOI-IER MUSIKWERKE AOTIEN-GESELLSOHAFT, OF LEIPSIO-GOHLIS, GER- MANY.

STRIKER OR PICKER FOR GUITARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 555,599, dated March 3, 1896.

Application filed June 11, 1895. Serial No- 552,468, (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I, KARL RUDOLF ESSIG, of Leipsic, in the Kingdom of Saxony and German Empire, have invented a new and useful Improved Striker or Plectrum for Zithers and the Like Stringed Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has for its object a striker or plectrum for stringed instruments which admits of a soft and elastic plucking or strikin g of the strings and which may also be passed over the strings, so that an irregular plucking or sounding is entirely prevented.

The invention is shown on the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation from the righthand side; Fig. 2, a rear elevation, and Fig. 3 a side elevation from the left-hand side.

The constructive arrangement of this improved plectrum or striker is explained as follows:

The holder or handle a of the plectrum is provided at its end with a hook-like projection having a curved sliding surface standing at an acute angle to its longitudinal axis. This latter surface is provided with a covering 0, of leather or felt, which latter also covers a piece of the back of the plectrum-holder. On the rear of the plectrum-holder the plucking or striking-plate or plectrum proper, b, which is formed of horn, wood, vulcanite, or the like, is fastened by means of a screw e, an indiarubber disk d being inserted, however, between the screw and the plate.

By the elastic layer 0 beneath the plectrum b and the arrangement of a washer d of soft india-rubber an even and elastic plucking of the strings is rendered possible both for the softest piano as well as in the loudest forte playing, so that soft, full, ringing tones are obtained.

The evenness of striking is obtained by means of the sliding surface of the hookshaped end of the plectrum 0r striker and the covering 0 thereon.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

An improved striker or plectrum for zithers and the like stringed musical instruments, having a hook-shaped projection, the curved sliding surface of which is provided with a covering of leather, felt, or the like, while the rear of the striker bears an adjustable plucking-plate or plectrum of horn,wood or vulcanite, which is elastically held between two layers of leather, felt or india-rubber, with the object of rendering possible an even and elastic plucking of the strings substantially as described and illustrated.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

KARL RUDOLF ESSIG.

Witnesses:

OTTOMAR GEIssH, RUDOLPH FRICKE. 

